Signs That A Dog Has Worms

Types Of Worms In Dogs And What They Do?

1. Roundworms

The most common type of worm that affects a dog is roundworms. They are white or light brown and resemble more like spaghetti noodles. If the infestation is in the advanced stage, one can easily see these worms in the dog’s stool. Roundworms can easily get inside the intestine, which usually happens when a dog eats infected feces, mice, and other tiny creatures.

2. Heartworms

These are one of the deadliest types of dog worms because they directly attack the critical organ – “heart”. Hence, they are named “heartworms.” However, apart from the heart, these worms also lodge themselves onto the lungs. They are infested via infected mosquitoes. Once a dog is affected with heartworms, a common sign is being bloated and inactive most of the time.

3. Tapeworms

These worms are white, flat in shape, and have ¼-inch segments connected with each other. They easily reach the gut when a dog swallows fleas. Once inside, these worms attach themselves to the intestinal walls and can grow about 4 to 28 inches in length.

4. Whipworms

These worms are more like ticks, meaning they bury their little heads and suck a dog’s blood. They reside mostly in the big intestine. Whipworms are usually tough and can stay alive for a long time.

5. Threadworms

Worms in dogs are common but some can be fatal, and one such is threadworm. As the name implies, threadworms are small, threadlike parasites, which can get into a dog’s body through several means. This usually happens in puppies when they consume their mother’s milk, where the larvae in the milk are transmitted through saliva. Also, when the environment is not hygienic, these worms can easily penetrate via the skin. Symptoms include bloating, pain in the stomach, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and coughing.

6. Hookworms

These worms attack a dog’s small intestine. These behave like fishing worms, meaning that if you slice them into two pieces, both the body parts will move. These parasites are extremely small, usually about ¼ – ½ inch. They reside on the intestinal walls and suck blood. Once they are infested, a dog will experience black tarry feces, weakness, malnourishment, and hemorrhage.

10Home Remedies For Worms In Dogs

Worm infestation in dogs is one of the most common problems pet owners face. Though conventional de-wormers help, they are full of harmful chemicals like toxins and carcinogens. Instead, go for natural treatment. Considering this, here are 10 incredible home remedies to get rid of worms in dogs.

10. Garlic & Fennel Seeds

Procedure:

Take 1 or 2 fresh garlic cloves and grate them nicely.

Mix it with a little fennel seeds powder.

Feed this mixture to your dog with food.

Note:Both garlic and fennel are potent. So, it has to be given to a dog in moderate amounts (based on the body weight). Include 2 – 3 garlic cloves in the dog meal if the breed weighs more than 35 lbs. For dogs weighing 15 – 35 pounds, 1 garlic is sufficient. For dogs weighing 15 pounds or even less, ½ garlic clove is adequate during the meal.

How Does This Work?

Garlic: According to research, garlic is one of the best home remedies for worms in dogs. It helps in flushing the worms from the system and maintains a healthy immune system. Also, it acts as a strong mosquito deterrent and works effectively against fleas as well.

The reason garlic works the best on worms is due to the presence of an amino acid derived compound called alliin. As soon as the garlic is crushed, chopped, or minced, the compound alliin joins with alliinase to form another compound called allicin, which is the reason for its flavor, aroma, and healing properties.

When a dog ingests garlic (but in extremely small quantities), it enters the stomach, where the compounds start to dissolve. Further, it moves to the smaller intestine where it is broken down and absorbed. The body cells then digest the garlic compounds via the bloodstream. Finally, the worms are killed.

The Remedy Is Not Good, If:

You are giving the dog in high amounts. It can cause severe poisoning and may even lead to death. Keep the quantity in mind.

For Our Loyal Readers

Kindly note that the remedies provided in this website are for informational purposes only and not for medical advice. A humble request from our team is to consult with the specific health care provider before using these remedies or tips.